In Season 2’s fourth episode of Made in Latin America, renowned Mexican author and historian Cristina Rivera Garza brings us into dialogue with a seemingly small yet haunting museum object: a charred fragment of wood—a late ember (“tizón tardío”)—that once belonged to an ancestral collection.

Cristina’s storytelling transforms this fragment into a powerful metaphor for memory, trauma, and resilience. She weaves a narrative about contested histories—forest fires, forced disappearance, and the heat of political erasure. From the ash of the past, she reclaims voices that refuse to stay buried, illuminating how objects can carry the weight of collective suffering, survival, and testimony.

Our Role

Once again collaborating closely with the SDCELAR team, we designed a production process that honoured Cristina’s evocative narrative. Despite her recording remotely from Mexico, we ensured the sound remained vivid and immersive. Our team layered ambient textures—crackling embers, distant wind, and archival voices—around her words, creating an audio space that’s both intimate and resonant. Our edit emphasised pauses and textures, giving listeners room to sense the ember’s emotional warmth and charge.

Why It Matters

This episode deepens the Volver a contar mission by confronting painful histories and amplifying silenced stories. Cristina’s “tizón tardío” becomes a symbol of endurance—the spark that lights remembrance and resistance. It challenges listeners to hear history not as ashes, but as ever-present embers.

🔊 Listen Now

Stream “Tizón tardío” as part of Season 2 on Apple Podcasts.